Home Office

Terrorism: Organised Crime

lord carlile of berriew: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether theyintend toinvite the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation to report on the increasing links between terrorist organisations and organised crime, including drug and people trafficking; and whatassessment they have made ofthose links.

baroness williams of trafford: The remit of the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation is set out at section 36 of the Terrorism Act 2006 (as amended) and does not include any legislation or operational matters related to serious and organised crime. Successive Governments have, on occasion, asked the Independent Reviewer to conduct exceptional reviews outside of his statutory remit; the Government has no current plans to do so on this issue. The Government continues to monitor links between terrorism and organised crime, and works closely with the police, the National Crime Agency and the security and intelligence agencies to support and invest in greater operational collaboration in this area.

Electronic Surveillance: USA

lord laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK participates in the US Prism surveillance programme; if so, what role the UK plays; how muchthat participation costs; and what assessment they have made of that programme.

baroness williams of trafford: It is the long-standing policy of successive Governments not to comment in detail on matters of intelligence.

Immigrants: Detainees

baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the finding in the report byWomen for Refugee Women, We are still here, published on 1 November, that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence continue to be routinely held in immigration detention in apparent contravention of Home Office policy.

baroness williams of trafford: Home Office immigration policy operates with a presumption against detention. When people are detained, it is for the minimum time possible, and their dignity and welfare is of the utmost importance.As part of its response to Stephen Shaw’s review of the welfare of vulnerable persons in immigration detention, the Government introduced the adults at risk in immigration detention policy, which came into force on 12 September 2016. The policy introduced a case-by-case evidence-based assessment of the appropriateness of detention for any individual who is considered vulnerable, balanced against the immigration control considerations that apply in their case. Having been a victim of sexual or gender based violence (including female genital mutilation) is expressly included as an indicator of risk for the purposes of the policy. This means that any such victim will be detained only when the immigration control considerations that apply in their case outweigh the risk factors. The policy is supported by the cross-cutting gatekeeper, which assesses vulnerability and provides challenge to decisions about who enters immigration detention, and scrutinises prospects and speed of removal.

Offences against Children

lord pearson of rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the police, social workers or other relevant authorities can be prosecuted or otherwise punished for failing to follow up information about sex grooming gangs which has turned out to be accurate.

baroness williams of trafford: Any sexual offence allegation must be treated seriously from the outset. Where holders of public office are thought to have wilfully neglected the duties of their office, the offence of misconduct in public office may apply. The Government has introduced a range of measures to tackle the culture of denial and inaction that has led to children being failed in the past, including: consulting on options to strengthen arrangements in relation to reporting and acting on child abuse or neglect; creating a new national whistleblowing helpline for public sector workers; and introducing legislation to ensure that exit payments for senior staff can be clawed back where those people are quickly re-employed in the same part of the public sector. This will ensure that those who fail to protect children see the consequences of their actions. Allegations of police misconduct are matters for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). Where potential issues in investigations of this kind are identified, they should be referred to the IPCC.

Counter-terrorism

lord pearson of rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the fundamental British values as identified by the Prevent strategy, with particular reference to Islamist extremism

baroness williams of trafford: The Prevent Strategy defines our fundamental values as including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.It is important to articulate British Values as being core and fundamental to life in Britain. They are not uniquely British, but they are the things we value in Britain. All forms of extremism are contrary to these values.

British Nationals Abroad: Syria

lord blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Williams of Trafford on 6 November (HL2663), of the 850 UK linked individuals of national security concern who travelled to engage with the Syrian conflict, what estimate they have made of the number who were affiliated with Daesh; and how many of those who have returned have been sent for de-radicalisation training.

baroness williams of trafford: Everyone who returns from taking part in the conflict in Syria or Iraq will be investigated by the police to determine if they have committed criminal offences, and to ensure that they do not pose a threat to our national security. Alongside criminal sanctions we have the power in certain circumstances, if appropriate, to mandate attendance in de-radicalisation programmes, which will provide intense mentoring and other kinds of support to challenge their beliefs, mitigate the risk and reintegrate them safely back into British society. Due to the sensitive nature of ongoing investigations and operations, we do not provide a breakdown of individuals of national security concern or the actions taken against them.

Terrorism: British Nationals Abroad

lord blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Williams of Trafford on 6 November (HL2663), how many individuals who took part in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq have been charged with terrorist or other criminal offences relating to their activities in Syria, following their return to the UK; and if that figure cannot be published, why not.

baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office Statistical Bulletin on the Operation of police powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 and subsequent legislation publishes data about convictions quarterly but does not distinguish those which relate to Syria, Iraq and Daesh. British Citizens who are investigated and charged with offences relating to the conflict in Syria and Iraq will be prosecuted in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.Although official figures do not show how many were Syria, Iraq or Daesh related, of the 105 persons charged with a terrorism-related offence in the year ending June 2017, 33 had been prosecuted (as at the time of data provision to the Home Office, 14 July 2017), 32 of which were found guilty. A further 68 were awaiting prosecution.

National Wildlife Crime Unit: Finance

baroness jones of whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have permanently to fund the National Wildlife Crime Unit to ensure that the proposed ivory ban can be enforced.

baroness williams of trafford: Together with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and other partners, the Home Office funds the National Wildlife Crime Unit. The Government has made a commitment to fund the Unit until 2020 and the end of this spending review period.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 10 October (HL Deb, col 106), what assessment they have made of the compatibility oftheir commitments (1)not to limit the number of genuine international students who come to the UK to study,and(2) to reduce net migration whilst including international students intheir net migration target.

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to excludinginternational students from their net migration target.

baroness williams of trafford: There is no limit on the number of international students who can come to the UK and there are no plans to change this. So long as students are compliant with immigration rules they should make a very limited contribution to net migration numbers.The independent Office for National Statistics is responsible for the production of the net migration statistics. In line with the internationally agreed UN definition these statistics define a migrant as someone changing their normal place of residence for more than a year. Students are therefore included in the same way as other migrants. International students who stay for longer than 12 months, like other migrants, have an impact on communities, infrastructure and services while they are here so it is right that they are included in the net migration count.

Deportation: EU Nationals

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made oftheir enforcement of Article 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union which permits member states to remove EU citizens after three months if they are not exercising a treaty right to freedom of movement; whether theyplan to change their enforcement of that article; and whether they have made anyestimateof the impact that astricter enforcement of that article wouldhave on the number of EU citizens in the UK.

baroness williams of trafford: Article 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union guarantees the free movement rights of workers. The conditions a worker, or any other EU citizen or their family member, must satisfy in order to enjoy their rights of entry and residence in a host member state are set out in the Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC). If an EU citizen does not meet the requirements for residence as set out in the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016, the UK’s implementing legislation, then they will not have a right to reside in the UK, and may be liable to removal. Removal is considered on a case by case basis.

Dublin Regulations

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need for a replacement for the Dublin III Agreement on refugees when the UK leaves the EU.

baroness williams of trafford: The Dublin III Regulation concerns asylum seekers, not refugees. It is the mechanism by which the Member State responsible for considering an asylum claim is identified.The Government has been clear that it is in both the UK and the EU’s best interests to continue to cooperate on asylum and illegal migration issues when we leave the EU. We are ready to discuss the exact nature of this cooperation with our European partners. As a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, we will continue to honour our international obligations when we leave the EU.

Immigrants: Detainees

baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many assessments of the suitability of detention made by the Detention Gatekeeper have resulted in (1) the detention of an individual, and (2) an individual not being detained, since that post was established.

baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any individuals have been detained after the Detention Gatekeeper has assessed that detention is not suitable for that individual, since that post was established; and if so, how many.

baroness williams of trafford: Home Office information management systems do not accurately record and report on the data requested, but work is underway to ensure they do. Provisional management information that is subject to change and has not been assured to the standard of Official Statistics can be provided. The Detention Gatekeeper considers immigration detention primarily based on removability and vulnerability. It is not possible for an individual to be detained having been assessed as unsuitable for detention by the Detention Gatekeeper unless a change in circumstances later arises that could for example include the availability of travel documentation.

Nationality: Northern Ireland

lord rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessmentthey have madeof the right ofUK-born nationals in Northern Ireland to choose British, or Irish nationalities,or both, after March 2019.

baroness williams of trafford: As detailed in the UK Government position paper on Northern Ireland and Ireland, the UK proposes that both the UK and the EU should formally recognise that the citizenship rights set out in the Belfast (‘Good Friday’) Agreement will continue to be upheld. The UK proposes that the Withdrawal Agreement confirms that the current substantive position is not changed as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and that both parties recognise that it will remain unchanged.

Migrant Workers: Fees and Charges

lord fox: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much revenue the Immigration Skills Charge, introduced in April 2017, has raised to date.

baroness williams of trafford: Figures for 2017-18 will be available once the Home Office’s Annual Report and Accounts are audited by the National Audit Office, and laid before Parliament.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Nuclear Power

lord fox: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to publish a nuclear industry sector deal alongside the industrial strategy White Paper; and if not, when a nuclear industrysector deal will be published.

lord henley: Government and nuclear industry are working together on a potential sector deal.

Nuclear Power

lord fox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals are being considered for inclusion within the nuclear industrysector deal.

lord henley: The nuclear industry, under the leadership of Lord Hutton, is developing a range of proposals to put to Government for consideration as part of a Nuclear Sector Deal. These cover the whole nuclear sector and focus on achieving cost reduction and boosting innovation and skills.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

lord fox: To ask Her Majesty's Government whetherthey will publish a nuclear and renewable energy roadmap setting out specific interim targets to implement the pathways set out in the Clean Growth Strategy published in October.

lord henley: The Clean Growth Strategy made clear that we want a diverse electricity system that supplies our homes and businesses with secure, affordable and clean power. Our Strategy outlines a possible pathway to continue realising emission reductions from the power sector out to 2032 as well as setting out our next steps.Concerning renewables, we have already confirmed up to £557 million for further Pot 2 Contract for Difference auctions, with the next one planned for spring 2019. With regards nuclear power, we have reiterated our ambition to deliver new nuclear power through Hinkley Point C and progress discussions with developers to secure a competitive price for future projects.

Nuclear Reactors

lord fox: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the results of phase one of the small modular nuclear reactors competition.

lord henley: The competition to identify the best value small modular reactor (SMR) for the UK was launched in March 2016. Industry has demonstrated considerable interest in the competition and over 30 eligible Expressions of Interest have been received. We expect to provide an update on progress with the competition shortly.The focus of the competition is engagement with industry to help inform government policy. It does not involve the down-selection of a reactor design.

Cost of Energy Independent Review

lord fox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the Cost of Energy Review published in October.

lord henley: The review conducted by Professor Dieter Helm is independent. We will now take the time to assess carefully its findings. We have launched a Call for Evidence to gather views from the energy industry, academics, businesses, consumer groups and other stakeholders.

Nuclear Power

lord fox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recommendations, if any, of the Cost of Energy Review will be included within the nuclear sector deal.

lord henley: The nuclear industry, under the leadership of Lord Hutton, is developing a range of proposals to put to Government for consideration as part of a Nuclear Sector Deal.The Cost of Energy review conducted by Professor Dieter Helm is independent and we will now carefully assess its findings. We have launched a Call for Evidence to gather views from stakeholders.

Manufacturing Industries: Digital Technology

lord haskel: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer byLord Henley on 2 November (HL Deb, cols 1434-5),in implementing the Made Smarter Reviewwhat arrangements theywill make for those who are displaced by digitalisation; whether they intend to introduce a safety net; and what procedures will be implemented to ensure that people are not damaged by its introduction.

lord henley: The Government believes that digitalisation of industry has the potential to achieve great benefits for the labour market, which can offset the impact of job displacement. Extensive research conducted for the review found that industrial digitalisation can result in a net gain of 175,000 jobs. However, government recognises that there will be challenges of job displacement in the short term and has already made preparations to mitigate this (see below).We are working closely with industry and experts to consider its findings.Examples of specific action government is taking now to upskill the current workforce and future workforce include:Digital skills Partnership (currently in development), which sets out a high level proposal for some type of partnership to bring together private and public sector organisations to actively tackle the digital skills gap.As indicated in the Digital Economy Act (April 2017), the Government will introduce an entitlement for adults who lack basic digital skills to undertake fully-funded training as part of the publicly-funded adult education offer.A £10m fund for the Future Digital Inclusion project supports approximately 5,000 businesses and centres targeting those who are deprived and most likely to need support to deliver basic digital skills to adults in England.Career/Lifelong learning - The Spring Budget 2017 announced spending of up to £40m by 2018-19 to test different ambitious new approaches to tackle the barriers to lifelong learning.Cyber Apprenticeships – working with employers to help develop cyber security apprenticeships to help address the cyber skills gap in critical sectors, including Energy, Transport, Water, Telecoms and Broadcasting Media.

Domestic Appliances: EU Law

baroness hayter of kentish town: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice and guidance they will offer to (1) importers, (2) retailers, (3) installers, and (4) consumers, in advance of EU Regulation 2016/426 on Gas Appliances coming into force on 21 April 2018.

lord henley: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy intends to publish guidance on EU Regulation 2016/426 on Gas Appliances alongside the proposed UK legislation that will set out the UK enforcement provisions. This guidance will be made available on the GOV.UK website.

Domestic Appliances: EU Law

baroness hayter of kentish town: To ask Her Majesty's Government which body will be the “notified body” with regard to EU Regulation 2016/426 on Gas Appliances after the UK leaves the EU; and what system will be in place to share intelligence on that Regulation’s implementation across the EU after Brexit.

lord henley: The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill will convert directly applicable EU law into UK law, and provide a power to correct parts of the law that no longer work. A notified body is an organisation designated to assess the conformity of certain products before being placed on the market. We will ensure that the UK continues to have appropriate conformity assessment processes after exit so that gas appliances in the UK remain safe to use.The European Union provides details on the implementation of EU legislation in all EU Member States through its EUR-lex website. Access to its information will not be affected by the UK’s departure.

Domestic Appliances: EU Law

baroness hayter of kentish town: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they havecomplied with the requirement under the transition from the old Gas Appliance Directive to EU Regulation 2016/426 on Gas Appliances to notify the EU with relevant details by 21 October.

lord henley: The UK notified the European Commission on 20 October with the relevant details in accordance with the requirement set out in Article 4 of EU Regulation 2016/426.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Burma: Rohingya

lord hague of richmond: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Burmaregarding current events in Rakhine state.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: In recent weeks, the British Government has made a number of representations to the Burmese government. We continue to make clear the need to end all violence in Rakhine, including sexual violence, to ensure the safe return of refugees, to allow humanitarian assistance to all communities in Rakhine, to enable access for the UN Fact-Finding Mission and to implement the recommendations of Kofi Annan's Rakhine Advisory Commission. The Foreign Secretary raised these issues directly with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi when he spoke to her on 7 and 14 September and on 21 October.The Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific met Burma's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 20 September in New York and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on 27 September in Burma, and reiterated the same messages. Minister Field also raised our deep concern about the situation in Rakhine with the Burmese Ambassador when they met on 31 October.Our Ambassador in Rangoon has also made a number of representations, most recently with the Burmese Defence Minister whom he met on 1 November.

Department for Work and Pensions

National Insurance Credits

baroness altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to allow women who do not claim Child Benefit due to a parent earning above £50,000 and who do not realise they are losing out on their State Pension accrual, to reclaim the lost National Insurance credits for past years; and if not, why not.

baroness altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government whywomen who have lost National Insurance State Pension accruals as a result of failing to claim Child Benefit due to a parent earning over £50,000, are not permitted to backdate any claim for more than three months.

baroness buscombe: There are National Insurance credits linked to Child Benefit which are awarded to the parent or carer who makes a claim for a child under age 12. These credits help build qualifying years towards the State Pension and are awarded even if individuals choose not to receive payment of Child Benefit on the basis of their household income. A claim for child benefit is required to award the credit as the Department does not hold information that would allow us to separately identify individuals who might be eligible.The Child Benefit claim form and guidance notes included in Bounty packs available to new parents and on GOV.UK stresses the importance of making a claim whether or not they are entitled to receive a payment as Child Benefit entitlement can only be backdated for up to 3 months before the claim date. There are no plans to alter the current arrangements.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Thames Tideway Tunnel

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of regulation 5(1) of the Water Industry (Specified Infrastructure Projects) (English Undertakers) Regulations 2013, which provides that “the incumbent undertaker must not undertake a specified infrastructure project”, what assessment they have made of statement in the Thames Water Utilities’ annual report and financial statements 2016–17 that “On completion of construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership will lay with the Company” –that is, Thames Water Utilities.

lord gardiner of kimble: Bazalgette Tunnel Limited (trading as ‘Tideway’) is the private sector company set up to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Thames Tideway Tunnel. Once the Thames Tideway Tunnel construction and system acceptance is completed, the above ground assets, structures and equipment constructed by Tideway on land acquired by Thames Water for purposes of the project will transfer to Thames Water’s ownership. The deep tunnels, shafts and other related non-mechanical assets will remain in Tideway’s ownership, along with responsibility for inspections and any necessary maintenance arising to ensure the tunnel continues to operate effectively. Thames Water’s statutory obligation for ensuring effective drainage of its area remains, and as part of this it will have the right to exclusive use of the Thames Tideway Tunnel to discharge sewage into it and remove it for treatment. This arrangement is a finance lease as defined under international accounting standards, from which the terminology in Thames Water’s published accounts relating to risks and rewards of ownership lying with the company derives.

Pesticides

baroness jones of whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what scientific research is being undertaken to identify natural alternatives to chemical pesticides; and whether this will be a priority for funding after Brexit.

lord gardiner of kimble: The government firmly believes that both agricultural production and the environment can benefit if growers have a range of options for crop protection and the skills and knowledge to select the best approach. Alternatives to chemical pesticides such as cultivation techniques, natural predators and biopesticides can play an important part in this and can contribute to minimising the use of chemical pesticides. A variety of bodies are carrying out research and knowledge transfer for alternative approaches and innovation in agricultural technology. Publicly funded research in this area includes work funded by Innovate UK through mechanisms including the Agri-Tech Catalyst, which helps develop innovative solutions to challenges in crop production. This issue was discussed at the most recent Agriculture Council in Brussels and the Minister of State set out the UK stance on promoting Integrated Pest Management and the case for supporting research and developent into alternative synthetic chemistry.

Fisheries

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of unauthorised fishing that takes place in British waters.

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to prevent unauthorised fishing in British waters.

lord gardiner of kimble: Control and enforcement of fisheries legislation is a devolved matter. Unauthorised fishing can mean many things including fishing in closed areas, using the wrong gear or not completing records accurately. In England, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) assesses the level of unauthorised fishing in the 0-200 nautical mile zone using intelligence and data from at-sea patrols conducted by the Royal Navy as well as from their own enforcement activity at sea and on land. Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities also carry out control and enforcement activity on land and in the 0-6 nautical mile waters of England. The MMO publishes information about significant prosecutions and actions taken as a result of finding infringements or non-compliance with fisheries legislation on their website. Surface patrol vessels are used to provide physical presence, deterrence and inspection capability which is complemented by satellite based surveillance technologies such as Vessel Monitoring Systems, Electronic Reporting Systems and Remote Electronic Monitoring. The Joint Maritime Operations Coordination Centre was established in October to improve the coordination of cross-agency maritime patrol capabilities, increase information sharing across Government and enhance aerial surveillance operations. As the control and enforcement of fisheries legislation is a devolved matter, it is for each Devolved Administration to decide how best to develop an enforcement solution to prevent unauthorised fishing.